Gary Player makes shock major claim but it's strongly refuted by Golden Age Auctions

Nine-time major champion Gary Player wants to take legal steps over the sale of his replica major trophies, but Golden Age Auctions have hit back hard.

Andy Roberts

01 Aug 2024

Gary Player has taken to social media to confirm he will take legal steps following the sale of a replica Claret Jug he won at the 1974 Open, but he will have a battle on his hands judging by the response from Golden Age Auctions.

According to Golf Digest, Player's replica Claret Jug was recently sold through Golden Age Auctions for a whopping $481,068.

The bidding for his trophy started at $5,000.

$481k. Other auction lots are still going so we haven’t added the 20% buyers premium yet!
— Golden Age (@GoldenAgeBid) July 29, 2024

Golf Digest has confirmed the latest sale marks a second time 'this particular Claret Jug replica has been auctioned'.

The trophy reportedly got sold for $143,030 in November 2020.

That came at the same times as sales for Player's 1978 Masters Trophy that went for $253,386, his 1965 US Open trophy for $97,691 and his 1972 Wanamaker Trophy from the 1965 US PGA for $80,736.

All four trophies added up to a combined $600,000, per Golden Age Auctions.

But according to Player, 88, two of his replica trophies have been put up for sale without his consent and against his wishes.

You can read Player's post below.

Player states that neither he or any of his associated companies made a decision to ever go to auction.

The South African describes it as an "unlawful situation" and that he now plans to take legal steps.

Scroll below for Mr Player's comments...

pic.twitter.com/Juv5kV7rYJ
— GARY PLAYER (@garyplayer) August 1, 2024

Player took to his social media channels to make an official announcement on the subject following the conclusion of the first round of the Men's Olympics Golf Tournament in Paris.

"Several articles have been written about the recent sale of a replica Claret Jug that I won at the 1974 Open and that was recently auctioned and I feel that it is necessary for me to correct inaccuracies contained in those articles," wrote Player.

"Neither of the 1974 Masters Trophy nor the 1974 Open Trophy were sold by me or by one of my companies.

"Each of these trophies was granted to me for my sole use and enjoyment as winner of the respective Majors.

"The person entrusted with ensuring the safekeeping of these items on my behalf and who was tasked with using them to enshrine my golfing achievements has done the opposite by offering them for sale without my consent and against my wishes.

"My legal team is taking appropriate steps to resolve this unlawful situation."

But Golden Age Auctions have hit back quickly as they strongly refute Player's claims.

The president of Golden Age Auctions, Ryan Carey, told Golf Digest:

"Unfortunately, Mr. Player’s statements about the sale of replica trophies are not accurate. Shortly after the COVID pandemic began, Gary Player’s company had serious cash flow issues and reached out to a number of auction houses to sell its collection of replica trophies in order to meet payroll. Golden Age then facilitated a private transaction between Gary Player’s Black Knight International company and a private buyer. The net proceeds of this sale were paid directly to Gary Player’s Black Knight International. The private buyer then sold some of the trophies, including this exact same replica 1974 Claret Jug at public auction in November 2020. Mr. Player was well aware of those sales back in 2020, and he was aware of them when he made these contradictory statements today. While Golden Age has the utmost respect for what Mr. Player accomplished as a golfer, his inaccurate statements are simply not acceptable under any circumstances."

Player ranks T4 on the all-time major wins list with nine, and he is one of five players alongside Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to complete the career grand slam in the modern era.